Figured we'd start a thread with pictures of stations, the "destination" on the train layout. Nearly all of the toy train manufacturers catalogued one or more stations in the accessory section, along with many of the companies like Dept. 56, Lemax, and all the others.

Here's a Marx "Girard" station, a bit battered but still functional and attractive:They made at least three versions of it - one that was just the tin station, one which featured an interior light, and one that had the light and a whistle. They must have made a bzillion of them, as they are pretty easy to find, and most are in better shape than this one. Here is the version with both the internal light and the whistle (I believe the model number is 2959 or 2960), and it dates to ~ 1950. My recollection is that the name "Girard" came from the location of one of the Marx factories, located in Girard, Pennsylvania. It's a brilliant example of the simple quality Louis Marx baked into his products, often ridiculed as the bottom of the toy train market. My first train set was a Marx mechanical set from around 1961 or 1962 and, while I don't have it anymore, it is fondly remembered.

Post some shots of your train stations...tinplate, ceramic, scratch-built, it's all good.

Paul II

The grandest of Lionel stations, perhaps of all toy stations, was the 114 and the 116. I don't own one, as I don't have the layout real estate necessary, but in my opinion, if one did, this is the one to have. It is a lovely piece of work from Cowan's shops:Approximately forty percent larger than the similar 112/113/115/117 stations (same overall height and width, but with longer front and back walls), the 114/116 was manufactured from 1931 to 1942. The 114 featured opening/closing doors with interior and exterior lights. The 116 had the same features as the 114, but also included train-stop circuitry (same functionality as that of the 78 train-control block signal and the 82 train-control semaphore, and available in a number of the lesser stations). There are a number of reproductions out there. The paint scheme for the 116 was mohave base/cream walls/pea-green trim for 1935-1936, then red base/off-white walls/red trim for 1936-1942.

The European toy companies made some really nice, elegant stations too, but many of the large ones I've seen rely heavily on lithography for decoration, whereas the 114/116 had embossed features and a wealth of trim (which I very much prefer). The 114/116 looks best in a standard/wide-gauge setting (IMHO), but it works well with O-gauge trains as well. Very nice, wish I had the space.

Paul II

Here's my contribution

That looks like a Lionel 121, the first in the 121-124 series of stations. The version you've got, the 121, was pretty basic; later versions had interior and exterior light fixtures along with various other trim details. Interestingly, it had the same footprint as the 113/115 stations, so it would fit on a 129 terrace which made it even grander in appearance. I think the 121-124 series seems scaled best for standard gauge. These stations had lots of play value with their opening doors and other features (although none in the series, as best I can tell, ever included the train-stop feature).

Here's the Durchgang Station by Marklin, an early European toy station that features embossing rather than lithography. It's missing a few small bits, but no matter, certainly one of the nicest I've ever seen:Manufactured by Marklin more than a hundred years ago (from 1902-1919), it featured lots of details and embellishments, not to mention a brilliant hand-painted finish. A good friend of mine collects European trains and accessories...seeing this, I can understand why. Lots of play-value here for some very lucky child.

Paul II

Wow that is just outstanding!

I posted a pic of this station in the tinplate structure sub-forum, but I include it here...the American Flyer No. 104 suburban station, sometimes referred to as the "Kenilworth":A good example of Flyer's lithography during the postwar era, the 104 was manufactured and sold during the early-to-mid 1920s. Featuring an exterior light, this was a pretty basic offering from Flyer. This one, in very nice original condition, was found at York a few years ago.

Here's an American Flyer No. 234 suburban station, manufactured during the mid-1930s:A simple lithographed building of stamped sheet steel, it featured a light which illuminated the platform. The catalogues listed it as a seventy-five cent item. I think there's a print-n-assemble version of this on this or one of the affiliated sites, somewhere.

A neat little station made by the French company JEP:Not sure if this is prewar or postwar vintage, but it's a nice small accessory with its manual semaphore and fence. I think this could be a great little cardboard-repro project. It wouldn't be too tough to come up with an Americanized version.

Oooooooooooo! I love that last one!

BTW the Bertoia Spring Auction---April 8th and 9th---has quite few wonderful trains.....the online catalog is at this link--- http://www.bertoiaauctions.com/toy-auct ... pril-2021/